incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
a
: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body
b
: to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction
2
: to cause or aid the development of
incubate an idea
Examples of incubate in a Sentence
The female bird incubates the eggs.
Researchers incubated the cells in the laboratory.
The cultures must incubate for five more days.
The virus will incubate in the body for several days before the patient experiences any symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Many turtle eggs incubate best in sand temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).
—
Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
For the next month, nest watchers observed the adult birds patiently incubate their eggs while covered in snow during blizzards and chase off other animals that ventured too close.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
Black bookstores have long been sanctuaries — nurturing Black thought, incubating ideas and cultivating the next generation of readers, writers and revolutionaries.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Even as snow blanketed the nest, the eagle parents have taken turns sitting on their eggs around the clock as the eggs incubate for 35 to 38 days, according to wildlife officials.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incubate
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Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
For the next month, nest watchers observed the adult birds patiently incubate their eggs while covered in snow during blizzards and chase off other animals that ventured too close.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
Black bookstores have long been sanctuaries — nurturing Black thought, incubating ideas and cultivating the next generation of readers, writers and revolutionaries.
—Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Even as snow blanketed the nest, the eagle parents have taken turns sitting on their eggs around the clock as the eggs incubate for 35 to 38 days, according to wildlife officials.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incubate
Cite this Entry
“Incubate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
: to sit on eggs to hatch them by warmth
2
: to maintain (as bacteria or a chemically active system) under conditions good for development or reaction
3
: to go through the process of incubation
Medical Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator
2
: to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction
: to undergo incubation
the cultures incubated for five days
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